One of President Obama’s favorite places to schmooze with congressional representatives is the Jefferson Hotel. The hotel bills as the one with the most discernment. It is impressive, indeed. So, last night the President met there with a bunch of influential Republican lawmakers.
After the House voted to avert a shutdown, President Obama pursues a larger and more comprehensive deal that would make governing less “fits and starts” and more stable.
When the House bill hits the Senate, Democrats will seek to amend the bill to offset some of the hits imposed by sequester.
Mission accomplished?
“I think what he is really trying to do is just start a discussion and break the ice, and that was appreciated,” Mike Johanns (Neb.) told reporters as he left the dinner. “His goal is ours — we want to stop careening from crisis to crisis and solving every problem by meeting a crisis deadline.”
The President picked up the tab and thanks goes to the Jefferson Hotel for creating a fine environment for advancing American government.
"House votes to avert shutdown as Obama looks for big deal
By Rosalind S. Helderman and Philip Rucker, Published: March 6
The House took its first step to avert a government shutdown as President Obama began a series of rare meetings with Republican lawmakers on Wednesday, reviving chances for a long-term deal to reduce the federal deficit.
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With a government shutdown now unlikely, Obama is focusing on a new round of talks that the White House hopes could break the fiscal impasse. After more than two years of negotiations with GOP leaders that did not achieve a “grand bargain,” the president is courting rank-and-file Republicans who may be interested in a deal that pairs cuts in entitlement programs with a tax overhaul that would include new revenue.”
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